Burkina Faso investigating attack on mosque

 

Authorities in Burkina Faso launched an investigation into an attack on a mosque in the capital Ouagadougou.

Six people were wounded.

Authorities say an unidentified person threw a flammable bottle into the mosque on Friday, November 6.

A woman, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said she arrived at the mosque for evening prayers shortly after the attack and found many people crying. Others were lying on the ground with burns.

She added that a note reading “Close the mosque or we’ll launch grenades at you” was found on the ground near the scene.

A Facebook post from the country’s security ministry showed the minister, Ousseni Compaore, visiting the site of the attack and meeting with the victims on Saturday.

The attack will raise concerns over national security a fortnight before presidential and legislative elections are due to be held.

Burkina Faso experts also argue that years of extremist violence could be fueling anti-Islamic sentiment.

Burkina Faso has been struggling with jihadist violence since 2015 which has resulted in hundreds of people being killed and forced tens of thousands to flee from their homes.

Christian and Muslim religious leaders, the latter whom jihadists do not consider radical enough, are also targeted by the extremists. Last year, the West African country witnessed a series of attacks on Christian targets despite the usually peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the region.